GeoLancashirePromoting Geodiversity across Lancashire

GeoLancashirePromoting Geodiversity across Lancashire

What is GeoLancashire?

GeoLancashire is an amalgamation of the Lancashire Group of the Geologists’ Association with the Lancashire RIGs Group. The Lancashire Group of the Geologists’ Association was established in 1922 as the first of the Geologists’ Association of London’s regional Local Groups, whose aim is to encourage interest in geology through lectures and excursions. The RIGs group was formed in 1991 to promote GeoConservation. Recognising that our membership already overlapped and that our activities were complementary, the two organisations formally became one in 2014 and adopted the name “GeoLancashire” for the new combined group.

The activities and interests of GeoLancashire combine those of the two former groups with a programme of winter lectures and summer excursions for members and a continued commitment to GeoConservation. GeoLancashire is affiliated to the NW Geodiversity Partnership and GeoUK and has close working links with many county-based organisations, especially the Wildlife Trust for Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Merseyside and the Lancashire Environmental Records Network.

What do we do?

Membership is welcomed from anyone interested in geology, landscape and GeoConservation. We meet regularly at the offices of Lancashire Wildlife Trust in Bamber Bridge, Preston and Hanson UK, Clitheroe.

From September to April a monthly programme of talks on geological topics is complemented during the summer months by a programme of field excursions. Indoor meetings are held at Hanson UK’s Ribblesdale cement works at Clitheroe, BB7 4EQ on Friday evenings at 7.15pm. Visitors are always welcome.

The GeoConservation programme is set out in our current Local GeoDiversity Action Plan and consists of three strands:

Identifying, surveying and recording Local Geodiversity Sites (LGS);

Selection, designation, protection and conservation of these sites;

Promoting public awareness, understanding and appreciation of Lancashire’s geology and landscapes.

Approximately 100 LGS have been notified to local councils and adopted for planning purposes as Geological Heritage Sites alongside Biological Heritage Sites with which they share similar protection. The GeoConservation committee meets regularly at the offices of Lancashire Wildlife Trust in Bamber Bridge, Preston.